This will be long, so I apologize in advance.

Well, I traded in my 2003 MINI Cooper last night. It was the first new car I ever bought and it sure did serve me well. Words can't really express all that I've learned about cars in general from the experience and what a truly great car my MINI was for me. 5+ years, 1 minor issue (wheel speed sensor covered under warranty). Great car, great experience, I would recommend this car to anybody who wants a fun car. Bang for the buck, I don't think it can be topped.

When I bought the car, it was just my wife and I and the MINI was awesome for that application. Heck, even after we had my daughter, the MINI was still fine for our purposes. However, she is now 3 and a half and growing like a weed, and we added our son in June and now suddenly the MINI seems so small (imagine that, a small MINI). With the rear facing seat behind the passenger and my daughter behind me (I'm 6'1, my wife is 5'10), comfort was becoming a major issue. It was basically to the point that there was no circumstance in which we would all 4 take the MINI anywhere.

When I first went into the local Dodge dealership, it was just to take a quick look at the new Challnger just to satisfy my curiosity. I wasn't seriously looking. But what caught my eye was a silver Caliber SRT4, which is what I ended up getting. True to form, the MINI held it's value well and I got a fair amount on the trade.

Big switch from the MINI. Huge, and I mean a huge downgrade in handling and feel for the road. A drop in fuel economy. No where near the intangible personality of the MINI. The SRT4 is completely untossable (over 3K pounds) and feels high and huge compared to the MINI. Upgrade on space and power. Upgrade on tansmission (Midlands to 6 speed Getrag). Basically, I see it as a more family friendly car that won't bore me to tears (I hope). The turbo factor is pretty cool, but I will always miss the MINI.

 

shoulda tried the Clubman first...

 

+1

Take the Dodge back, and go get a Clubman.

 

I gotta be honest guys, and I know this entirely subjective, but I just don't care for the styling of the Clubman. I know plenty of people don't care for the styling of the SRT4 Caliber, but I think it is pretty sharp.

 

Have you seen the JCW Clubmans. Little bit pricier but they look pretty mean.

 

wait till your kids are grown you will be back, congrats, and stay

 

I also don't like the clubman, to much of a wagon for me, my son loves the Caliber, but then he drives a crossfire

 

Exactly. I could definitely see myself back in one once the kids are grown!

 

Be prepared in 5 years when you trade/sell your Dodge for another car. I've owned lots and lots of Chrysler products over the years, and talk about depreciation! Thats why now I drive a MCCS and of course Harley Davidson's they both hold value pretty good.

 

Agreed.

Here are a few things I had to come to terms with before I traded the MINI:

1. Nothing I was going to buy would handle half as good.
2. Nothing I was going to buy would make me as enthusiastic about that brand as my MINI did.
3. Nothing I was going to buy would hold its value as well as the MINI.

The only thing my car will have going for it will be that it will have low miles on it (my commute to work is 3 and a half miles).

 

I just went to the Doge site and configured the model you bought. Some cool aspects about it but I wish there were a few more choices. One big deal breaker for me is that there are only four colors to choose from with your model (I want the light blue) . The seats in the SRT4 sure look inviting though ! I'm curious if you ever drove the Mazda Speed 3 ? I've got a friend that owns one (also owns a Mini S) and after going for a ride in his speed 3, the Mazda would have for me had to be a contender for a wagon type vehicle (although the fuel milage is 29 highway for the Dodge and 26 for the mazda speed 3). The non turbo model Mazda (A3) does a bit better on the fuel at 22/29. I doubt ether the Dodge SRT4 or the Mazda speed 3 get anywhere close to those fuel numbers unless your right foot is VERY far away from the gas pedal much like our Mini's ! LOL !

I'm sure you will enjoy your new car !

 

The Mazda Speed 3 sure sounds like a great car. Every review I have ever read is glowing. I had heard that they were not dealing on those, though (kind of like the MINIs were/are) and maybe I am completely off my rocker, but I like the SRT4s styling better. The reviews on the Caliber SRT4 are not at all flattering. I see it as it is what it is. It is not a sports car, and anyone who expects that from this car is going to be disappointed. And I agree, the color choices are not good and to be honest, if not for the silver, I don't know if I would have bought one.

 

I completely get where you are coming from. I wanted a MINI when they first came out in the US, but had just bought a Saturn wagon, and had a 6-year-old and a new baby, and didn't want to hassle with a 2-door car and a rear baby seat 3 times a day at minimum.

Fast forward 7 years, and I got my MINI. Kids are both out of car seats, and able to fit nicely in the back!

You'll be there soon. . . the time will fly! (except for the 2 month wait when you order your next one! )

 

The silver looked nice, I configured one in black ! I've seen the Dodge on the road and must admit that it looked interesting (different then the rest). I'm curious since you knew the type of car you were going to get, if you test drove others that were of the same type of design ? I really don't know if the Mazda and the Dodge are comparable with each other but in hind sight it might have been interesting to compair. They both seem to run about the same price from what I could tell !

 

An interesting choice. I looked at a lot of cars before choosing a Clubman. It just seemed to me that you couldn't get what Mini offered on any car in the price range. However, I only have 1 child, so that will help!

I do believe that most cars are good cars these days, so enjoy the new Dodge!

 

I'm a big fan of chrsyler cars and trucks. i have always had one until my 08 MCS. when shopping around i looked at SRT4. great car but it does lack some of those things that the mini does have. Good luck with it and hope you come back to the MINI family soon. There is always room for a weekend car.

 

Well, sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do.....soon, and really all too soon, you can rejoin the fold. . . . Love my 06MCS, my 77Mini 1000, and my Magnum R/T
It is the DodgeMiniMINI team.

Tom

 

One thing I have realized as I sit here MINIless is that while I was eyeing other cars as "weekend cars" with my MINI as my daily driver, all along I was driving a "weekend car". I would definitely have a MINI back as a weekend type car down the road.

One thing I will say is that the SRT4 does seem to be well made. It feels very solid all the way around.